Scenario Analysis

Unit 4 Assignment 2 [CJ340: Applied Criminal Justice Ethics]

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Scenario Analysis

Lon L. Fuller, former Carter Professor of Jurisprudence at Harvard Law School, observed in The Morality of Law, “Even if a man is answerable only to his conscience, he will answer more responsibly if he is compelled to

articulate principles on which he acts” (Fuller, 1975, p. 159).

Fuller, L. (1975). The morality of law. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

In this Assignment, you are required to apply Fuller’s Principle, as cited above, and respond to three real-life scenarios regarding ethical decision making within the field of criminal justice and policing.

In considering each of the three scenarios, you are asked to respond to the following four questions:

1. Is there a moral problem presented in the scenario? If so, what is it?

2. Does policy or law dictate an appropriate response, or does it require that professional discretion be

applied?

3. What criteria (considerations), principles, and consequences should guide your decision?

4. What would you do? Articulate, justify, and defend your position to a group of professional career colleagues who had a different opinion.

First, read each scenario. Second, analyze the ethical dilemma within the context of the four questions specified

above. Third, respond in writing to the each of the four questions.

The entire paper should be 2–4 pages in length. Each essay response should be brief, not more than 1 page.

Apply references to support your responses. Consider Fuller’s principle and the required readings in each of the

responses. Finally, consider the potential impacts and responses to your decision making.

Scenario 1: Drugs at a Friend’s House

You are an off-duty police officer at a party at the house of an old high school friend. Everyone is still in the

backyard drinking. You go into the house to use the restroom and observe several of your friend’s friends (whom

you do not know) snorting cocaine. You do not know whether your friend has knowledge that people are using drugs in his house.

Scenario 2: Accepting a Gift

It is the day before Christmas and you are a community police officer. An owner of a small market has been

friendly to you throughout the year and he has participated faithfully in community crime-prevention meetings. He calls you behind the counter and gives you a fruit basket for your family along with a Christmas card

containing a $30 gift certificate as an expression of his appreciation.

Scenario 3: Homosexual Partner

You are a supervisor on a medium-size police department. Office Ted Jones is an excellent officer and has been on the force for 16 years. He is also a homosexual and hangs out at a known gay bar in his off time. You have two-

Unit 4 Assignment 2 [CJ340: Applied Criminal Justice Ethics]

© Kaplan University

person patrols and Jones was recently teamed with Officer James Davis. Officer Davis comes to you and asks to

be assigned to another partner because Jones is a homosexual.

Respond to each scenario using the four questions listed above.

Directions

In addition to fulfilling the specifics of the Assignment, a successful paper must also meet the following criteria:

• Include a cover page and references page in 10–12-point font (Arial, Courier, and Times New Roman are acceptable)

• Viewpoint and purpose should be clearly established and sustained • Assignment should follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar,

punctuation, etc.)

• Writing should be well ordered, logical, and unified, as well as original and insightful • Your work should display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics • Appropriate citation style should be followed

You should also make sure to:

• Include a title page with full name, class name, section number, and date • Include an introductory and concluding paragraph and demonstrate college-level communication through

the composition of original materials in Standard American English • Use examples to support your discussion • Cite all sources on a separate reference page at the end of your paper and cited within the body of your

paper using APA format

Submitting Your Assignment

Compose your paper in Word and save your document in the following format: Last name First name Assignment. (Example: SmithJohn Unit 4 Assignment 2). Submit your Assignment by selecting the “Unit 4:

Assignment 2” Dropbox by the end of Unit 4.

Unit 4 Assignment 2 [CJ340: Applied Criminal Justice Ethics]

© Kaplan University

Unit 4 Assignment 2 Checklist

Criteria: Ask yourself the following questions. Not Yet Yes

Purpose for Writing

Did you identify four or more ethical issues?

Did you analyze and evaluate the three ethical dilemma scenarios by discussing the potential ramifications and consequences of the actions or inactions involved?

Did you answer each of the four questions for each of the scenarios?

Research

Is your research current?

Did you use at least two credible sources?

Did you answer all the questions in a substantive manner?

Content

Is your content accurate?

Is your content comprehensive enough to address the topic?

Format

Did you save your paper as a Word® Document?

Did you name your file Correctly?

Did you use APA format to cite your sources?

Did you check your document for spelling?

Did you check your paper for grammatical errors?

Is your paper the correct length?